TeamLab Exhibition at Smart Museum: A Fusion of Art and Technology
The Smart Museum of Art is currently showcasing teamLab’s new piece, “Sea of Darkness, Memory Shining From the Depths,” an immersive work that features mesmerizing black lines moving beneath a golden sea, echoing the elegance of jellyfish. This artwork is part of the exhibition “teamLab: Everything Exists in Infinite Continuity,” marking the first presentation of this Tokyo-based collective’s work in the Midwest and its first at an academic art museum in the U.S.
Exhibition Highlights
- Duration: The exhibition runs until February 21, 2027 and transforms the left gallery space into a dynamic artistic experience.
- Artworks: The exhibition features a range of pieces, from the somber “Life Survives by the Power of Life II” to the vibrant “Order in Chaos,” with strands of color flowing from monitors to envelop visitors in an engaging atmosphere.
- Interactivity: Visitors are encouraged to interact with the artworks, capturing their immersive nature through mobile devices.
Artistic Collective
Founded in 2001 by Toshiyuki Inoko, teamLab consists of over 600 members, including artists, scientists, and programmers, renowned for their innovative digital installations.
Noteworthy Works
- “Dissipative Figures – Human, Murmuration” (2026): A human-like figure appears to walk and vanish, framed by mirrored walls.
- “World of Irreversible Change” (2022): An interactive depiction of a historical Edo landscape that changes upon physical interaction.
- “Measureless Suns and Dark Suns”: An elaborate installation featuring flickering lights in a mirrored space.
Additional Installations
The reception also introduced “Between Us,” a mural by Nina Chanel Abney, part of the museum’s ongoing Threshold series of contemporary art installations. Smart Museum director Vanja Malloy announced that Abney’s solo exhibition will be held from March 23 to July 11, 2027.
Programs and Events
The museum has scheduled several engaging programs, including:
- A public conversation featuring Sohi Hong from teamLab on October 11.
- A family day with artist Abney on October 17.
- A Sunday somatic series of yoga and meditation sessions from October through December.
Curator Allison Martino hopes visitors will leave with a profound sense of awe about the connections between themselves and the world around them through the transformative power of art.
